Fired in Oklahoma City and think it was illegal? Start here.
Top Wrongful Termination Lawyers in Oklahoma City, OK
Oklahoma is an at-will state, so an unfair firing is not automatically illegal. It has to break a law, such as anti-discrimination statutes or the public-policy rule from Burk v. K-Mart. These eight verified firms represent OKC-area employees, each confirmed against at least two independent sources.
Updated June 03, 202612 min readEditorially independent
If you were fired in Oklahoma City and it felt wrong, the legal question is not whether it was unfair but whether it was unlawful. Oklahoma is an at-will state, which means an employer can fire you for almost any reason or none at all. The exceptions are what give you a case: you cannot be fired because of a protected trait like race, sex, age, religion, national origin, or disability; you cannot be fired in retaliation for protected activity such as reporting discrimination or filing a workers compensation claim; and you cannot be fired for a reason that violates a clear Oklahoma public policy.
That last category comes from a well-known Oklahoma Supreme Court case, Burk v. K-Mart, which created what lawyers call the Burk tort: a wrongful-discharge claim when an employee is fired for a reason that violates the state's public policy, such as refusing to break the law or reporting illegal conduct. Alongside the Burk tort, Oklahoma employees are protected by the Oklahoma Anti-Discrimination Act and federal laws like Title VII and the ADA, enforced through the EEOC. A good OKC employment lawyer will quickly tell you which of these, if any, fits your firing.
Every firm below has a verifiable employee-side employment practice serving Oklahoma City, and each appears in at least two independent directories or recognition lists. We do not take payment for placement. Several of these attorneys are recognized statewide for employee-side employment work.
How we picked these 8: We cross-referenced peer rankings and directories (Best Lawyers, Super Lawyers, Avvo, Martindale-Hubbell, Justia, Expertise.com, FindLaw) and each firm's own published practice pages. Every firm below appeared in at least two independent sources and has a verifiable Oklahoma City-area wrongful termination practice. We do not accept payment for placement, and we do not write sponsored reviews. More on our methodology →
1
Hammons, Hurst & Associates
Oklahoma City, OK (325 Dean A. McGee Ave)Employee-side employment firm
Practice focus: Wrongful termination, discrimination, sexual harassment, retaliation, unemployment
Led by Mark E. Hammons Sr. and Amber Hurst, this OKC firm represents Oklahoma workers in discrimination, harassment, retaliation, and wrongful-termination cases. Mark Hammons founded and formerly led the Oklahoma Employment Lawyers Association.
Why they made the list: Mark Hammons Sr. has been selected to Super Lawyers for 14 consecutive years, and Amber Hurst has been selected every year since 2015.
Practice focus: Workplace discrimination, wrongful termination, retaliation, employment disputes
Founded by Christina F. Toon, an Oklahoma trial attorney with more than fifteen years focused on employment law, Ironside Law Firm represents Oklahoma employees in discrimination, wrongful-termination, and workplace-dispute cases.
Why they made the list: The firm is built around a trial attorney with over fifteen years of focused employment-law practice and appears in OKC wrongful-termination directories.
Practice focus: Wrongful termination, discrimination, retaliation, employment litigation
Glass & Tabor is a respected employment-law firm in nearby Norman whose attorneys bring decades of courtroom experience to wrongful-termination cases for employees across the Oklahoma City metro.
Why they made the list: The firm is recognized in Oklahoma wrongful-termination listings and is built on decades of employment-litigation courtroom experience.
Practice focus: Wrongful termination, labor and employment violations, workplace disputes
The Battle Law Firm serves Oklahoma City clients across several practice areas and represents employees facing labor and employment-law violations, including wrongful termination.
Why they made the list: The firm is profiled in OKC wrongful-termination directories and maintains a dedicated labor-and-employment practice for area workers.
Practice focus: Employment discrimination, wrongful termination, workplace disputes
This OKC firm, with attorney Clayton Hasbrook, appears in directories of Oklahoma City discrimination and employment attorneys and represents employees in workplace disputes including wrongful termination.
Why they made the list: Clayton Hasbrook carries positive client reviews praising professionalism and diligence, and the firm is listed among OKC discrimination attorneys.
Practice focus: Employment discrimination, wrongful termination, harassment, retaliation
Trial lawyer Katherine Mazaheri-Franze regularly represents employee-plaintiffs in Oklahoma City in employment-discrimination cases, including claims based on race, age, gender, pregnancy, national origin, and disability, along with wrongful termination.
Why they made the list: The firm is led by a trial lawyer who has handled a wide range of employee-side discrimination and wrongful-termination litigation in the OKC area.
Practice focus: Wrongful termination, employment discrimination, civil litigation
Doug Carel is an Oklahoma City general-practice attorney with more than 25 years of experience who represents clients in workplace matters such as wrongful termination and discrimination, along with civil litigation.
Why they made the list: The attorney brings more than 25 years of experience and is profiled in OKC wrongful-termination and employment directories.
Practice focus: Wrongful termination, workplace harassment, discrimination, wage disputes
Patricia A. Podolec represents Oklahoma City employees and has handled hundreds of employee matters in negotiation, mediation, arbitration, and litigation in state and federal court. Note that she is not always accepting new clients but offers case assessments and referrals.
Why they made the list: The attorney has represented hundreds of employees in state and federal employment matters and is listed in OKC employment-law directories.
Tell us what happened and when you were fired. We will connect you with an Oklahoma City employment lawyer who represents workers in wrongful termination and retaliation cases. Free, confidential, no obligation.
How to choose between them in Oklahoma City
Watch the deadlines. A federal EEOC charge generally must be filed within 300 days, and some Oklahoma claims have shorter windows. If you are close to a deadline, say so on your first call.
Match the firm to your claim. Discrimination, retaliation, and Burk public-policy claims each require different proof. Ask each firm how many cases like yours they have handled and what happened.
Ask how they bill. Most OKC employee-side firms take strong cases on contingency. Ask the percentage, whether costs come out before or after the fee, and what you owe if you lose.
Value trial credibility. Settlement value depends on whether a firm can credibly try your case. Ask whether the lawyer has actually taken employment cases to a jury.
Trust the first conversation. A lawyer who gives you a straight, realistic read, including the weaknesses in your case, is more valuable than one who promises a big number up front.
What wrongful termination help typically costs in Oklahoma City
Fees for wrongful termination cases in Oklahoma City depend on the strength and type of your claim. Here is what to expect:
Free initial consultation Most employee-side firms below review your situation at no charge and tell you honestly whether you have a viable claim.
Contingency (most common) Typically 33% to 40% of any recovery, with the higher end applying if the case is filed in court or goes to trial. You pay nothing up front.
Fee-shifting in some claims Certain discrimination statutes allow a prevailing employee to recover attorney fees from the employer, which a lawyer can explain for your specific claim.
Hourly or hybrid Some firms charge roughly $250 to $450 an hour for advice, severance review, or executive matters, or blend a reduced hourly rate with a smaller contingency.
Costs Filing fees, deposition transcripts, and experts are case expenses, usually advanced by the firm in a contingency case and repaid from the recovery.
Because the right fee structure depends on your claim, ask each firm to explain exactly how they would bill your case before you sign anything.
How long it takes
Wrongful termination claims in Oklahoma move through predictable stages, though the timing varies with the court and the employer:
Intake and investigation: 1 to 4 weeks The firm gathers your documents, reviews your personnel file, and assesses whether you have a discrimination, retaliation, or Burk public-policy claim.
EEOC charge or demand: 1 to 4 months Many claims require an EEOC charge first, which the agency investigates; others begin with a demand letter that can prompt an early settlement.
Litigation and discovery: 9 to 18 months If no settlement, the case is filed and both sides exchange documents and take depositions. This is the longest phase.
Mediation, settlement, or trial: varies Most cases resolve in mediation or settlement. A case that reaches a jury can take two years or more from filing.
Red flags to watch for when hiring a wrongful termination lawyer in Oklahoma City
Guaranteed outcomes. No ethical attorney can promise a specific result. If a firm guarantees a win, a number, or a court ruling, walk away.
The disappearing senior partner. You meet a named partner at intake, then never hear from them again while an unsupervised junior runs the file. Ask in writing who handles your matter day to day.
Pressure to sign on the spot. Reputable firms give you the engagement letter in writing and time to read it. High-pressure intake is a volume-mill signal.
No verifiable track record. Look for named results, peer rankings, board certifications, or bar recognition — not "we have helped thousands of clients."
Vague fees. Every legitimate firm will put the fee structure, what is covered, and what triggers extra charges in a written engagement letter.
10 questions to ask in your free consultation
Most of the firms on this list offer a free or low-cost initial call. Use it. Bring a written list and write down the answers, then compare across two or three firms before you sign anything.
Who, specifically, will handle my matter day to day? Get a name and a direct email, not just the firm.
How many matters like mine have you handled in the last three years? You want a number, not a brochure line.
What is your fee, and what does it cover? Get the structure in writing before you sign.
What out-of-pocket costs am I responsible for, and when? Filing fees, records, and experts add up - ask now.
What is the realistic range of outcomes? A good lawyer gives a range; a weak one promises the high end.
How long will this take? An honest estimate, with the assumptions stated.
What is my deadline, and is it at risk? Many wrongful termination matters carry hard filing deadlines.
How often will I hear from you? Set the communication cadence now.
What can I do to help my own case? The best lawyers will give you homework.
What is the worst-case outcome? A lawyer who refuses to discuss downside risk is selling you something.
What to bring to your Oklahoma City consultation
You will get more out of the first call if you arrive organized. For most wrongful termination matters, gather:
A short written timeline. Dates, names, and what happened, in order.
The key documents. Any contracts, letters, agreements, court orders, or filings you have received.
Your correspondence. Relevant emails, texts, or messages - and do not delete anything.
Any deadlines you know about. A court date, a signing deadline, or an agency notice.
Your questions. The 10 above are a good place to start.
If you are not sure whether something is relevant, bring it anyway. It is easier for a lawyer to set aside what does not matter than to chase down what you left at home.
Is hiring a wrongful termination lawyer in Oklahoma City worth it?
For small, simple matters you may not need a lawyer at all, and a good one will tell you so. But the moment real money, your record, your family, or a hard deadline is involved, going without representation usually costs more than it saves. The other side — an insurer, a prosecutor, or an opposing party — almost always has a lawyer. You should not be the only person in the room without one.
Here is a simple test. If the outcome could change your finances for years, affect your children, put your freedom or immigration status at risk, or turn on a legal deadline you do not fully understand, talk to a lawyer before you act. Most of the firms above will give you an honest read in a free call, including telling you when you do not need to hire anyone at all.
The cost of a consultation is almost always lower than the cost of a mistake you cannot undo. Even if you decide to handle the matter yourself, one conversation with an experienced Oklahoma City attorney can tell you what to watch for and where the real risks are before they become expensive.
Talk to a vetted Wrongful Termination attorney in Oklahoma City
Tell us about your situation. We'll match you with one of these firms or a similar one. Free, confidential, no obligation.
Frequently asked questions about wrongful termination lawyers in Oklahoma City
Is being fired unfairly illegal in Oklahoma?
Not by itself. Oklahoma is at-will, so an employer can fire you for an unfair or even a poor reason. It becomes illegal only when the real reason is discrimination, retaliation for protected activity, or a violation of clear Oklahoma public policy under the Burk tort.
What is the Burk tort?
Named for the Oklahoma Supreme Court case Burk v. K-Mart, the Burk tort is a wrongful-discharge claim available when an employee is fired for a reason that violates a clear public policy of the state, such as refusing to commit an illegal act or reporting illegal conduct.
How long do I have to file a claim?
A federal EEOC charge for discrimination generally must be filed within 300 days of the firing, and some Oklahoma claims have their own deadlines. Because the windows can be short, talk to a lawyer as soon as possible.
Can I be fired for filing a workers compensation claim?
No. Oklahoma law prohibits firing or retaliating against an employee for filing a legitimate workers compensation claim. If that happened to you, you may have a retaliation claim.
How much does a wrongful termination lawyer cost in OKC?
Most employee-side firms work on contingency, taking roughly 33% to 40% of any recovery, with nothing up front. Some discrimination claims also allow you to recover attorney fees from the employer if you win.
What can I recover if I win?
Depending on the claim, you may recover lost wages and benefits, emotional-distress damages, and in some cases punitive damages and attorney fees. The value depends on your earnings and the strength of your evidence.
Should I sign a severance agreement?
Not before a lawyer reviews it. A severance agreement usually asks you to give up your right to sue. An employment lawyer can often negotiate better terms, especially if you have a viable claim.
What evidence should I keep?
Save your offer letter, performance reviews, relevant emails and texts, and any write-ups, and do not delete anything. Documents you gathered while employed are often the strongest evidence in these cases.
One last thing. Choosing a lawyer is personal. Read the reviews. Call two or three firms before you sign. Ask each one: How many matters like mine have you handled in the last three years? The answer tells you a lot. — The LawFirmSquare team
LawFirmSquare is a directory. We do not represent clients or refer cases for a fee.
Helpful next steps
If this guide was useful, here is where most readers go next.